Everything you need to know about Weaves of Banaras

How Make In India is supporting the ethnic craft

If you’ve been in Mumbai for the past few weeks, you couldn’t have missed the hoardings supporting Make In India week in Maharashtra lining the streets. Post a tweet with the #MakeInIndia hashtag and it instantly converts into the logo of a lion—a symbol that is suddenly very familiar because its visual omnipresence, brainchild of V Sunil, the creative head behind the campaign.

Last night, two Make In India events took place in the city—a cultural event at Giraum chowpatty, and the second, Weaves of Banaras. The fashion event took place at the ITC Grand Central, Parel, and was held in association with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI).

Echoing the theme, the venue was decorated with marigold flowers, mogras and earthen lamps to transport the audience from Mumbai to the holy city. Lassi, pakodas and samosas accompanied classical Hindustani music, building the atmosphere. Set to this background was the fashion showcase, with 12 veteran designers, who had worked on the same theme, presented their own interpretation of the Benarasi weaves.

To create a cohesive presentation of 12 distinct styles, the designers stuck to a palette of neutrals, gold and red. Rajesh Pratap Singh’s pantsuit with culottes took a modern turn while Sabyasachi’s old-world romance was rooted in lost time. Anita Dongre and Anju Modi’s couture reflected current bridal trends, while Abraham & Thakore’s jute-meets-brocade skirts exemplified their artistry in how they brought two starkly different elements together in the same ensemble.

“The main thing is that fashion is being taken seriously right now. For the first time, we have been presented a platform like this by the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) and Make In India. Finally, they have realised that our designers have been, in fact, making it in India for such long time. Make In India is about the thousands of weavers who have been doing this for years. And for this recognition, I am very grateful indeed,” said Sunil Sethi, president, FDCI.